Poppy Poppy

While it is not always easy to talk about Canadian history and war with young children, Remembrance Day presents a good opportunity to recognize the courage of those who served for our country. In class, we talked about the significance of wearing a poppy and about peace – what peace looks like, sounds like, and feels like.  We can give our children a reason to work towards a more peaceful world.

Here are some comments from the students:

“Peace is going to the playground.”

“Peace is sharing our toys.”

“Peace is feeling safe in school.”

*More comments will be available in students’ e-portfolios.

This is a great book for young children: The Peace Book by Todd Parr

The kindergarten and grade one students in Div. 8 & 9 did a wonderful job reciting this Remembrance Day poem at the school assembly.  Thank you to parents for helping your child practice the lines at home.

Poppy Poppy

Poppy Poppy, what do you say?
Wear me on Remembrance Day.

Poppy Poppy, what do you tell?
Many soldiers in battle fell.

Poppy Poppy, what should we know?
That peace on Earth should grow, grow, grow.

Poppy, we are but children small,
We are too little to do it all.

Children, you may do your part.
Love each other is how you start.
Play without fighting.
Share your games and toys.
Be kind and thoughtful,
To all girls and boys.

3D poppies on our class wreath
3D poppies on our class wreath; each class created a wreath for the assembly

 

Vancouver Aquarium

What a fun day it was!  The children arrived at the Aquarium with wonder and curiosity about the world of sea animals.  We saw sea lions, frogs, salamanders, turtles, jellyfish, and more.  We saw playful sea otters, jumping dolphins, and African penguins shorter than us.  At the Discover Rays pool, children were able to touch the stingrays who glided just beneath the water’s surface.  Some of the children were shocked by their moving chair and sprays of water during the 4D movie, Coastal Predators.

We are scientists who observed, questioned, analyzed, and discussed what we saw.  The children left the aquarium tired (and many of them napped on the ride home), but inspired to learn and care for our environment.  Over the next few weeks, we will continue to discuss our observations and study about animals that live under the sea.

 Thank you to all the parent volunteers for coming with us!
 
 
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 For more information, visit the Vancouver Aquarium. 

Terry Fox Run & Orange Shirt Day

September 29th was our school’s Terry Fox Run, as well as Orange Shirt Day.  Ms. Price, our Aboriginal Resource Teacher, visited our classroom to tell us the story about Phyllis’ experience at a residential school.

Having Orange Shirt Day on the same day as the Terry Fox Run was a good opportunity to talk about Terry Fox’s Métis ancestry.  Thank you Parents for your donations to the Terry Fox Foundation.  As a school, we surpassed our goal and raised…

More photos from the run:

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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

 

At the beginning of the year when students are learning how to write their names, we always have fun reading the book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  All the letters climb up the coconut tree until the tree bends… “Will there be enough room?”  No, because all the letters fall out!  The book has a great rhythm and there’s even a song that goes with it.  See YouTube video below.

 

 

Students made coconut trees and added the letters of their names.  They learned how to use scissors and managed to cut out tree trunks (any size they wanted) and tree leaves!

The coconut trees are displayed on the hallway bulletin board outside our classroom!  Please come and take a look.

 

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Look who’s in our room!

 

 

Hatching soon

We have been reading lots of stories about chickens and other oviparous animals.  We have been visiting Ms. Gourlay’s classroom every few days to observe the eggs in the incubator.  Sometimes Ms. Gourlay reads a story to both of our classes.  Today, she read a funny one titled, “Chicks and Salsa” – the chickens get tired of the same old chicken feed and decide to try some new foods!  Soon, all the animals decide to plan for a fiesta with chips and salsa!  After the story, we ALL got to try some chips and salsa!  Some kids were trying chips and salsa for the very first time.

“It was the best!” H.S.

“It was salty, but I still like it.” A.L.

“It was a little bit spicy, but I liked it!” K.S.

“I loved it!” E.Y.

“It was a tiny bit good…” A.O.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a link to the story on video –> Chicks and Salsa video

We look through a special scope that allows us to see inside the egg!  Then we draw and write about our observations in our booklets.  The eggs are due to hatch any day now…